FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast softball (3-4) fell 8-3 to Louisiana Monroe (4-4) on Friday afternoon.
The Warhawks jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning and did not look back, also adding a run in the third and two in the fifth before FGCU got on the board. Hollie Thomas went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a double, home run and three runs scored as one of five Warhawks to tally multiple hits in the game. The Eagles posted three runs between the fifth and sixth, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Olivia Black was a bright spot for the Eagles, tallying a career high four hits, including two doubles. She also drove in a run and scored.
Presley Smith was the only other FGCU hitter to reach multiple times, drawing two walks to go with a hit in her first start of the season.
ULM got started in the top of the first, loading the bases with one out and scratching its first run across with a fielder's choice. Another run crossed home on a well executed double steal, followed by a two-run single from Elle Carter, who was thrown out in a rundown, but not before the Warhawks had taken the 4-0 lead.
Thomas drove in a run in the third on a sac fly before hitting a two-run homer in the fifth to give ULM a 7-0 lead.
Black scored the Eagles' first run of the game on a fielder's choice in the fifth. In the sixth,
Mackenzie Leiti notched her first career RBI with a double to right center field, and Black drove her in with her second double of the game to make it a 7-3 deficit, but the Warhawks added a final run in the top of the seventh for the 8-3 win.
Next, FGCU continues the FGCU Eagle Invitational with a Valentine's Day doubleheader, against Hofstra at 5 p.m. and against Louisiana Monroe at 7:15 p.m.
2026 softball season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale now at
https://fgcuathletics.evenue.net/list/SB.Â
For more information on FGCU Softball, follow @FGCUSoftball on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit
fgcuathletics.com.
Postgame Notes
Olivia Black had her first career four hit game
Black also had her first career multi-double game
Presley Smith reached base three times in her first start of the year
Mackenzie Leiti had her first collegiate RBI on her sixth-inning double
FGCU will rematch with ULM at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday
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